Externally Baffled Ridge Vent With Fastener

ABSTRACT

A roof ridge vent includes a receptacle adapted to receive a fastener and located in the top wall of the roof ridge vent. The fastener is embedded in the top wall and positioned in the receptacle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A residential and commercial roof generally serves utilitarian functionsfor building structures. Reliably heating and cooling buildingstructures under those roofs can pose a number of challenges.

Roof ridge vents may be employed to promote air circulation in attics.Current attempts to secure roof ridge vents have been largelyunsuccessful. There remains a long-felt need for a suitable means ofmaking and installing roof ridge vents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view in elevation of a roof ridge having aninstalled roof ridge vent in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view in elevation of a roof ridge ventaccording to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective top view of a roof ridge vent according to FIG.1 with a portion cut out to show detail.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the roof ridge vent similar to FIG. 1having four sections.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view in elevation of series of stacked roofridge vents.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

There is provided a roof ridge vent. The roof ridge vent includes anelongate top wall secured to a pair of opposed outer sidewalls dependinggenerally outwardly and generally downwardly from peripherallongitudinal edges of the top wall, and a pair of opposed end wallsdepending from opposite ends of the top wall, each of the outersidewalls having a lowermost edge, and an upturned flange projectingfrom the lowermost edge. The roof ridge vent includes a receptacleadapted to receive a fastener and located in the top wall of the roofridge vent. The fastener is embedded in the top wall and positioned inthe receptacle.

There is also provided a method of installing a roof ridge vent onto aroof. The method includes providing a roof ridge vent having a nailembedded therein. The method includes positioning the roof ridge ventonto the ridge of the roof and nailing the nail embedded into the roofridge vent into the roof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Preliminarily, it should be noted that certain terms used herein, suchas for example above, below, upper, lower, left and right, are used tofacilitate the description of the invention. Unless otherwise specifiedor made apparent by the context of the discussion, such terms and otherdirectional terms should be interpreted with reference to the figure(s)under discussion. Such terms are not intended as a limitation on theposition in which the invention or components may be used. Indeed, it iscontemplated that the components of the invention may be easilypositioned in any desired orientation for use. Likewise, numerical termssuch as for example “first”, and “second” are not intended as alimitation or to imply a sequence, unless otherwise specified or madeapparent by the context of the discussion. The term “operativelyconnected” is understood to include a linking together of the portionsunder consideration and may include a physical engagement and/or afunctional or operational connection.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5a roof ridge vent, indicated generally at 20, according to theinvention. For purposes of clarity and simplicity, the roof ridge vent20 may simply be referred to as the vent 20 herein. The illustrated vent20 may be about four feet long, thereby requiring a plurality of ventsto be employed in most roofing installations. The vent 20 may beproduced in any suitable length. The illustrated vent 20 has means tocreate a “venturi effect” or air draft to draw hot air outwardly fromthe underlying attic

The vent 20 is shown applied to the ridge 24, or peak portion, of theroof 28. The vent 20 is shown above a plurality of shingles 32 on aplywood substrate 36. The vent 20 is shown above an opening 40 whichprovides an air ventilation passageway between the rafter 44 over theunderlying attic area 48 and the ambient atmosphere 52. Typically, theshingles 32 may be secured to the plywood substrate 36 with nailsapplied by roofing nail guns or other suitable means.

The vent 20 allows for fluid communication between the attic area 48 andthe ambient atmosphere 52. The term “fluid communication” may suggest aroute and/or system of routes for the flow of a fluid. The term “fluidcommunication” may also suggest the traveling and/or transporting of afluid. The term “fluid communication” may include [but is not limitedto] the general ability or capacity for fluid to flow between the parts,sections, or components under consideration. The term “fluid” mayinclude [but is not limited to] a substance having particles that easilymove and change their relative position generally without a separationof the mass and that generally easily yield to pressure. It will beappreciated that fluids are generally capable of flowing. Nonlimitingexamples of fluids include liquids and gases, including water, air,hydraulic fluids, and the like. A substance may be considered a fluideven though particles are entrained therein.

Each illustrated vent 20 provides a path of circulation for air exitingthe building through the ridge opening 40. Air is directed generallylaterally between the vent 20 and the plywood substrate 36 and throughventilation openings 56 in the outer sidewalls 60 of the vent 20. Theterm “wall” as used in this application may be understood to include,but is not limited to, any generally structure or functionality whichgenerally covers, encloses and/or divides something. FIG. 1 shows thesidewalls 60 of the vent 20 with only a few ventilation openings 56,while FIG. 1 shows the sidewalls 60 of the vent 20 with more openings56. The illustrated vent 20 includes an elongate top wall 64 and a pairof opposed outer sidewalls 60. The top wall 64 is generally rectangularhaving opposing longitudinally-extending side edges, 68 and 72. The topwall 64 has a longitudinal centerline 76 about which the vent 20optionally bends to accommodate the pitch of the roof and for ease ofinstallation. The centerline 76 generally defines optional oppositewings, 80 and 84, of the top wall 64. The term “wing” as used in thisapplication may be understood to include, but is not limited to, anystructure(s) or functionality which includes a generally rigid generallyhorizontal structure projecting from one or more sides. The wings, likemany of the features shown herein, are optional. The top wall 64 neednot be contoured and may optionally be generally smooth or generallycontoured as desired. The term “smooth” as used in this application maybe understood to include, but is not limited to, any structure(s) orfunctionality having a generally even surface, which may be generallyfree from projections or indentations. The term “contoured” as used inthis application may be understood to include, but is not limited to,any structure(s) or functionality which includes a generally curvingform.

The top wall 64 and sidewalls 60 of the vent 20 may be secured together.The term “secured” as used in this application may be understood toinclude, but is not limited to, any structure(s) or functionality whichis/are generally positioned or fixed firmly together. When twocomponents under discussion are said to be secured, it is understoodthat this may also be understood to include the case in which they maybe integrally formed.

The sidewalls 60 depend outwardly and downwardly from the peripherallongitudinal edges, 68 and 72, of the top wall 64. Each of the outersidewalls 60 extends to a lowermost edge 88 which confronts the shingles32 on the roof deck and includes a plurality of ventilation openings 56located between the top wall 64 and the lowermost edge 88 of thesidewall 60. In addition, each sidewall 60 may include a generallyupturned flange 92 projecting from the lowermost edge 88. The upturnedflange 92 provides a wind baffle and helps to shield the ventilationopenings 56 from unwanted windblown foreign objects. The flange 92 mayalso assist to draw air through the ventilation openings 56 and promoteair circulation through the attic area 48 via the ventilation openings56.

FIG. 1 shows a plurality of nails 96 embedded in the top wall 64 of thevent 20. The term “embedded” as used in this application may beunderstood to include, but is not limited to, any structure orfunctionality which is generally fixed into the surface of something orsurrounded closely by something. Specifically, FIG. 1 shows two rows ofseven nails 96 each. The rows are generally aligned. The nails 96 may beof any suitable number, placement, type and size. A one-and-three-fourthinch ring-shank nail may be employed, as may be any suitable size. Asuitable fastener may be employed in lieu of the nails 96 as desired.Each nail 96 is shown generally embedded in an optional generally hollowreceptacle 100. The term “receptacle” as used in this application may beunderstood to include, but is not limited to, any structure orfunctionality which receives and/or contains something. The illustratedreceptacle 100 is generally cylindrical, but it doesn't have to be.

Each illustrated receptacle 100 includes an opening 104 at the top endof the receptacle 100. The term “opening” as used in this applicationmay be understood to include, but is not limited to, any structure orfunctionality which defines an aperture, breach and/or gap. Eachillustrated receptacle 100 includes a closed bottom 108 at the bottomend of the receptacle 100. The optional receptacle 100 is a receptaclefor the nail 96 and need not be round. The diameter of the opening 104at the top end of the receptacle 100 may be generally smaller than theclosed bottom 108 at the bottom end of the receptacle 100 to allow forthe opening 104 to be fit with the nail 96. The term “diameter” as usedin this application may be understood to include, but is not limited to,any measurement of a generally straight line passing from side to sidethrough a central region of a circle, sphere or shape. The term“diameter” may also be understood to include a chord or measure orlength of a generally straight line passing through the center of afigure, body or opening. The respective shapes, sizes, numbers, andpositions of the nails 96, openings 104 and closed bottom 108 may bevaried as desired. When the closed bottom 108 receptacle 100 isemployed, the point of the nail 96 optionally does not protrude throughthe bottom end of the receptacle 100.

FIG. 4 shows a plurality of braces 112 a through 112 m. The term “brace”as used in this application may be understood to include, but is notlimited to, any structure or functionality which generally serves togenerally separate, strengthen or support. While FIG. 4 shows thirteengenerally equally spaced braces 112 a-112 m, any suitable number andspacing scheme may be employed. As shown, a brace 112 may extend theentire width of the vent 20 or only a part of the width of the vent 20as desired. The braces 112 a through 112 m are shown generallypositioned at an angle with respect to the flange 92 projecting from thelowermost edge 88. The term “angle” as used in this application may beunderstood to include, but is not limited to, any structure orfunctionality which generally defines or creates a corner. The cornermay constitute a projecting part or an enclosed or partially enclosedspace. The corner may be generally straight, generally curved orarced—or partially straight or curved. The term “angle” may also includethe space between two lines or surfaces at or near the point at whichthey touch or intersect. The braces 112 a through 112 m may bepositioned at any suitable angle.

When seven nails 96 are employed on each side of the vent 20, sevenreceptacles 100 may also be employed on each side of the vent 20. Thereceptacles 100 may be positioned generally adjacent to one or more ofthe braces 112 a through 112 m or be generally embedded in one or moreof the braces 112 a through 112 m. The term “adjacent” may include [butis not limited to] structures or components situated generally near orgenerally close to each other, which may or may not be touching and/orconnected. For example, seven receptacles 100 on each side of the vent20 (or a total of fourteen receptacles 100) may be staggered andpositioned generally adjacent to or generally embedded in braces 112 a,112 c, 112 e, 112 g, 1121, 112 k, and 112 m. The seven receptacles 100associated with the seven braces 112 a, 112 c, 112 e, 112 g, 112 i, 112k, and 112 m would each accommodate one nail—for a total of seven nailson each side of the vent 20. Assuming the same configuration on eachside of the vent 20 as shown, a total of fourteen receptacles 100 andfourteen nails 96 may be employed.

Referring primarily to FIG. 4, the underside of the vent 20 may includewall segments 116 protruding generally downwardly. The wall segments 116may be spaced apart and located at opposing ends of the underside of thevent 20. Any suitable number, placement, type and size of wall segments116 may be employed. The segments 116 may be staggered or placed inrows.

The vents 20 may be stacked for packaging and transport, as shown inFIG. 5. The nails 96 may protrude through the top wall 64 by anysuitable amount. The vent 20 may be any suitable thickness. As shown inFIG. 5, when the vent 20 is about one inch thick and the nails 96 areabout one-and-three-fourths inch thick, the vent 20 can be stacked withlittle or no entanglement of the nails 96 and the adjacent vent 20.

In operation, the vent 20 with embedded nails is expected to easeinstallation of the vent 20 and save money. When using the vent 20,roofers and users of the vent 20 no longer need to precisely positionloose nails where the embedded nails are placed. This may save time,labor and thus most likely saves money. This may save time required toremove nail from a laborers nail pouch—due to use of the embedded nails.This also prevents nails from being nailed in undesirable locations.

The vent 20 can be used in a method, or a wide variety of methods, ofinstalling the roof ridge vent 20 onto a roof. The method might include,but is not necessarily limited to the following steps. The user mayprovide the roof ridge vent 20 having one or more nails 96 embeddedtherein. The user may position the roof ridge vent onto the ridge of theroof. The user may then nail, with a hammer or commercial nail gun orthe like, the nail 96 embedded in the vent 20 into the roof.

The invention may be made from any suitable material and by any suitablemethod. The invention may be adapted to fit a wide variety of uses. Itwill be appreciated that the components of the invention may be easilymodified as needed to accommodate varying sizes and shapes. The vent 20may be constructed from a polymer material, such as for examplepolypropylene, polyvinylchloride, polyethylene, and/or a high impactcopolymer polypropylene.

These definitions provided herein are provided solely to facilitate anunderstanding of the invention—not to limit the invention. It is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited in its application to thedetails of construction and to the arrangements of the components setforth in the accompanying description or illustrated in the drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced andcarried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that thephraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The disclosure mayreadily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures,methods and systems for carrying out the present invention. It isimportant, therefore, that the claims be regarded as includingequivalent constructions. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstractis to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the publicgenerally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners inthe art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology,to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence ofthe technical disclosure of the application. The abstract and disclosureare neither intended to define the invention of the application, whichis measured by the claims, nor are they intended to be limiting as tothe scope of the invention in any way.

1. A roof ridge vent comprising: an elongate top wall secured to a pairof opposed outer sidewalls depending generally outwardly and generallydownwardly from peripheral longitudinal edges of the top wall, and apair of opposed end walls depending from opposite ends of the top wall,each of the outer sidewalls having a lowermost edge, and an upturnedflange projecting from the lowermost edge; and a receptacle adapted toreceive a fastener and generally located in the top wall of the roofridge vent, wherein the fastener is embedded in the top wall andpositioned in the receptacle.
 2. The roof ridge vent of claim 1 furthercomprising one or more ventilation openings in the outer sidewalls. 3.The roof ridge vent of claim 2 wherein the fastener is a nail.
 4. Theroof ridge vent of claim 1 further comprising a brace wherein thereceptacle is embedded in the brace.
 5. The roof ridge vent of claim 4wherein the receptacle is generally cylindrical.
 6. The roof ridge ventof claim 5 wherein the receptacle includes a closed bottom at a bottomend of the receptacle.
 7. The roof ridge vent of claim 6 wherein adiameter of an opening at a top end of the receptacle is generallysmaller than a diameter of the closed bottom at the bottom end of thereceptacle.
 8. The roof ridge vent of claim 7 further comprising aplurality of ventilation openings in the outer sidewalls.
 9. The roofridge vent of claim 1 wherein the fastener is a plurality of nailsgenerally aligned in rows.
 10. The roof ridge vent of claim 9 furthercomprising a plurality of braces and a plurality of receptacles whereinthe receptacles are embedded in the braces generally aligned in rows andthe plurality of nails are generally aligned in rows.
 11. A roof ridgevent comprising: an elongate top wall; and a fastener secured to the topwall of the roof ridge vent, wherein the fastener is embedded in the topwall.
 12. The roof ridge vent of claim 11 further comprising a pair ofopposed outer sidewalls depending generally outwardly and generallydownwardly from peripheral longitudinal edges of the top wall.
 13. Theroof ridge vent of claim 12 wherein the outer sidewalls have a lowermostedge and an upturned flange projecting from the lowermost edge.
 14. Theroof ridge vent of claim 11 further comprising a pair of opposed endwalls depending from the top wall.
 16. The roof ridge vent of claim 11wherein the fastener is a nail.
 17. The roof ridge vent of claim 11further comprising a receptacle adapted to receive the fastener andlocated in the top wall of the roof ridge vent.
 18. The roof ridge ventof claim 17 wherein the receptacle is generally cylindrical.
 19. Theroof ridge vent of claim 18 wherein the receptacle includes a closedbottom at a bottom end of the receptacle.
 20. A method of installing aroof ridge vent onto a roof comprising: providing a roof ridge venthaving a nail embedded therein; positioning the roof ridge vent onto theridge of the roof, and nailing the nail embedded into the roof ridgevent into the roof.